Public Warned Of Elections Impersonators

The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) has advised all Fijians to be aware of the people impersonating FEO officials.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem made this remark during a press conference at their office in Suva yesterday.

He said they had received two complaints from the Northern Division concerning individuals who are alleged to have impersonated election officials.

“According to the reports we have received, there are some individuals who are going around the country and collecting signatures and voter details from Fijians by presenting themselves as FEO officials.

“I would like to state that the FEO does not engage in sending individual persons around the country without any identification.

“And of course, we do not collect voter details because we already have them when you register with us.

“The FEO encourages all members of the public to please assist us in identifying these individuals who claim to be election officials.

“As such, we have now decided to announce that the registration will take place from May 22.

“This is to allow Fijians to identify someone who is an impersonator and someone who is our staff.

“Our staff will all carry the electronic voter registration official identification card which will be signed at the back by the Supervisor of Elections.

“We will also have some of our long term staff working in the field and they will be carrying the FEO staff identification card.

“The staff’s ID also carries significant information at the back of the card which can be used to trace the origin of the card.

“We have also made a mandatory requirement that all our officials in the field wear the FEO official bib.

“The bib has the words elections official written in the front and the slogan at the back,” Mr Saneem said.

He said if either of the IDs are not produced or if the person is not wearing the bib, but has an ID, he is encouraged to not deal with the person.

“I have informed all my staff that they are to ensure that at all times, if they are providing voter services, they must wear the official bib.

“I would like to encourage the members of the public to please do not enter into such behaviour as the penalties are quite harsh.

“We also encourage the members of the public to request for IDs of anyone who claims to be an election official.